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SALT LAKE CITY -- Friday night in the Huntsman Center a major rivalry resumes between two gymnastic power houses: No. 6 Utah and No. 10, and five-time defending national champion, Georgia.
The matchup is a battle of dynasties. Utah and Georgia have won 20 of the last 34 national titles.
"This is big," says Utah senior Beth Rizzo. "The way our team is approaching this meet is that we are going to compete against ourselves. We're going to try to improve our own scores, and if we come out with a win then of course that would be awesome."
Daria Bijak, who is also a Utah senior, says, "Our goal going into this meet is just hitting our routines. And if we do that, hopefully we beat them."
"It's a performance sport. There is no defense here," says Utah's co-head coach Greg Marsden. "We can't go and knock them off the balance beam."
Each of the last five years Georgia has won the national title, the Utes have finished in second place three times and in third place twice. Mardsen says that definitely mean a little something extra for this meet.
"It's always big, but the fact that we've been so close, and it's been that way for the last several years between us for the national championship, and they've gotten us each time, it makes it even that much more significant," Mardsen says.
But when you come to the Huntsman Center Friday night, not only will you be able to watch two national powers going after each other, you will also be able to help out the relief effort in Haiti. The Utes are asking fans bring their used shoes. They will collect them and send them to the earthquake victims.
"It's a way for people to help out," Rizzo says.
The Utes are also taking your shoe donation at the men's and women's basketball games Saturday, Jan. 23.
E-mail: rzundel@ksl.com
